FAS3 Offers Sinkhole Expertise to Media

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Reporters/media members wishing to consult and/or interview experts in the sinkhole repair industry will find what they're looking for in the Florida Association of Sinkhole Stabilization Specialists (FAS3), a respected, non-profit organization made up of Florida-based professional geologists, engineers, foundation contractors and suppliers.

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"FAS3 wants to be more proactive in helping to accommodate the media with general questions, or phone and in-person interviews because we all share the same goal," said FAS3 President George Sinn, P.E.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB)June 19, 2014

The rainy season is upon us in Florida, which likely means sinkholes will be, too.

Reporters/media members wishing to consult and/or interview experts in the sinkhole repair industry will find what they're looking for in the Florida Association of Sinkhole Stabilization Specialists (FAS3), a respected, non-profit organization made up of Florida-based professional geologists, engineers, foundation contractors and suppliers.

While the organization is composed of potentially competing firms, each of FAS3's members joined the organization because of the belief that engineers, geologists and contractors involved in the sinkhole repair process should possess certain credentials and meet ethical standards set forth by this group of experts to further the best interest of the public and the industry.

FAS3, which was formed in 2006, offers free educational presentations to different associations around Florida. Now FAS3 is offering the media its perspective and/or general information/data related to sinkholes in Florida if and when a story warrants it.

"Members of our organization realize the hard work that goes into carrying out sinkhole investigations and remediation programs under tight deadlines, and getting the job done right," said FAS3 President George Sinn, P.E. "The media faces similar challenges, especially when sinkholes unexpectedly form and require reliable information be presented to the public on short notice. FAS3 wants to be more proactive in helping to accommodate the media with general questions, or phone and in-person interviews because we all share the same goal -- to educate and inform Florida residents on these important issues/incidents."

Not only does FAS3 have different entities available to offer expertise and perspective, including professionals that test the ground (engineers/geologists) and the ones that repair it (foundation contractors), the decision to consult "experts" outside of FAS3 can significantly increase the likelihood of getting bad information or pushing a particular company's agenda.

"FAS3's standards are high, but also reasonable," said Sinn. "While FAS3 has numerous members, there are many more companies that have not met the criteria necessary to qualify for FAS3 membership. For example, of the 80-plus foundation contractors in Florida, less than 15 percent of them are members of FAS3. That's scary to the vulnerable people that could hire an unqualified contractor, or to reporters that unknowingly interview them. A plethora of property owners, insurance companies, banks, mortgage companies, real estate professionals and others recognize FAS3 as a legitimate authority in the sinkhole investigation and repair industry. We are confident the media will, too, and we encourage reporters to reach out to us as often as they need."

For media requests related to the expertise offered by the Florida Association of Sinkhole Stabilization Specialists (FAS3), or to request an interview with a FAS3 engineer, geologist, foundation contractor, or supplier, please contact Jim Flynn at 352-523-4987 or via e-mail at Communications(at)FAS3(dot)org. We encourage you to also visit FAS3.org to learn more about our organization.

About FAS3FAS3 is an association of engineers, geologists, contractors and suppliers concerned with the ethical investigation, planning, design and remediation of sinkholes and sinkhole damaged properties.

FAS3 was formed in 2006 to:

Set standards for conduct, workmanship and business practices for those involved in the profession.

Improve and develop knowledge of new ideas and methodologies of subsurface grouting, foundation stabilization and related testing and to share that knowledge with other professionals and interested parties.

Improve the understanding of sinkhole formation, investigation, evaluation, and remediation by educating the public, government bodies and other interested parties.

Encourage, fund, and participate in the practical application of research related to subsurface grouting, underpinning and foundation stabilization work, including providing educational opportunities for members of the organization, governmental officials, and the general public.